D-Fenders hire former NBA coach Eric Musselman

8/19/2011, 8:22 a.m.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--Former Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings coach Eric Musselman was named today as coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Development League affiliate.

Musselman, 46, coached the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League to a 34-16 record in the 2010-2011 season, the best in the West Conference.

D-Fenders president Joey Buss said Musselman "will be a great addition to our franchise."

Musselman said he was "extremely excited to be joining a first-class organization like the D-Fenders."

"Our staff will work hard to develop young players for the next level while at the same time being an extremely competitive team," Musselman said.

The D-Fenders will resume play in November after a one-season hiatus.

Musselman coached Golden State to a 75-89 record from 2002-2004 and Sacramento to a 33-49 record in the 2006-2007 season.

Musselman has also been an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies, and coached the Rapid City Thrillers and Florida Beachdogs of the Continental Basketball Association, the Florida Sharks of the U.S. Basketball League and the Dominican Republic's men's national team.

Musselman is a son of the late Bill Musselman, who coached in the NBA, CBA, American Basketball Association and in college basketball.